Despite the fire danger for the Bridger-Teton National Forest being listed as low, Interagency Fire Crews suppressed the human-caused wildfire near Hoback Junction on the fourth of July. The Hoback Fire was reported at 5:15 am Monday morning. A fire engine responded from the Forest and controlled the fire at 12:30 pm The fire crew declared the fire extinguished at 3:00 pm that same day. The Hoback Fire was ignited by fireworks and was held to 1/10 of an acre. The fire burned stumps and dead and down vegetation. No structures were threatened and no trails were closed as a result of this fire.

The use of fireworks on the Bridger-Teton National Forest is illegal. Forest patrollers dealt with multiple fireworks violations throughout the fourth of July weekend. Possession of fireworks on the Bridger-Teton is punishable by a minimum of $200 fine, and use of fireworks commands a mandatory appearance before a Federal Magistrate.

The Bridger-Teton also reminds all users that campfire safety needs to be at the forefront of your minds when visiting the Forest. All visitors are asked to build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass and leaves. Any extra wood should be piled away from the fires. Users should also keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.

Also, it is a good rule of thumb to keep the campfire small. A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter circle. This will keep a small campfire from spreading.

Forest officials remind users to never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread. Abandoning a campfire on the Bridger-Teton is a citable offense.